The Mbaise Policy Roundtable (MPR), a prominent Non-Governmental Organization dedicated to the socio-economic development of the Aboh, Ahiazu, and Ezinihitte Mbaise council areas of Imo State, has taken a significant leap into the digital economy. At its 2026 annual global summit in Nguru, the group officially inaugurated ekeohaonline.com, a pioneering e-commerce platform designed to transform local agriculture and community wellbeing.
The platform’s launch, performed by MPR Founder and Chairman, Prof. Eddie Oparaoji, was strategically framed around the summit’s theme: “Food Security and Cluster Farming: The Foundation for Health and Economic Stability.” This context underscores that ekeohaonline.com is not merely a commercial website but a targeted intervention tool. Prof. Oparaoji articulated its core mission: to guarantee unlimited community access to nutritious foods while simultaneously fostering sustainable economic growth. He positioned healthy nutrition as a non-negotiable cornerstone of development, arguing that easier food access paves the way for healthier, more productive populations.
“Ekeohaonline.com will serve as a catalyst for agricultural and digital growth,” Oparaoji stated. “It will provide broader market access for farmers, enhance operational efficiency, and facilitate data-driven strategies that elevate productivity.” This vision addresses a critical gap in many rural economies—the disconnect between local producers and wider markets. By digitizing this connection, the platform can reduce post-harvest losses, improve price transparency for farmers, and give consumers reliable access to fresh, local produce.
The summit featured compelling endorsements from other thought leaders that deepen the platform’s perceived value. Prof. Joseph Ahaneku, Chairman of the 2026 MPR and Vice-Chancellor of the National University of Science and Technology, Abuja, highlighted a crucial consumer angle. He advised Nigerians on food safety, particularly regarding vegetables, which can be compromised by poor preservation handling. This insight directly supports the platform’s potential role in ensuring supply chain integrity from farm to table.
Further solidifying the theoretical foundation, Dr. Beulah Okechukwu of Array Ventures Consultancy Firm drew a direct, powerful link between nutrition and macro-development. “There is a close relationship between malnutrition and underdevelopment. Reducing malnutrition is an important goal for development,” she asserted. This frames ekeohaonline.com’s mission as part of a larger fight against systemic underdevelopment, moving it beyond simple commerce into the realm of public health and economic infrastructure.
The presence of dignitaries like former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Prof. Viola Onwuliri, and other prominent Mbaise figures signals strong community backing and suggests the platform has the social capital needed for initial adoption and trust.
In essence, ekeohaonline.com represents a holistic model for community development in the digital age. It seeks to:
- Empower Local Farmers: By providing a dedicated online marketplace, it breaks geographical barriers, allowing Mbaise farmers to reach consumers directly, capture more value, and make informed decisions based on market data.
- Enhance Food Security: By streamlining the distribution of nutritious food within and beyond Mbaise, it makes consistent access more reliable, directly tackling issues of availability and affordability.
- Stimulate Economic Diversification: The platform encourages youth and retirees, as urged by Prof. Ahaneku, to see agriculture as a viable, tech-enabled venture, potentially reducing unemployment and fostering entrepreneurship.
- Promote Public Health: By centralizing the food supply chain, it creates opportunities for implementing and monitoring safety and quality standards, addressing the concerns raised about food handling.
The success of ekeohaonline.com will now depend on execution—factors like logistics, digital literacy training for farmers, payment systems, and sustained community engagement. However, its launch at a policy roundtable with a clear developmental thesis marks it as a initiative worth watching, offering a practical blueprint for how regional communities can leverage digital tools to build resilience, health, and prosperity from the ground up.
